Hyaluronic Acid and Longevity

The Role of Hyaluronic Acid in Aging and Longevity

Hyaluronic acid is an important building block of our skin. It is a very long molecule on which other skin components can bind, like GAGs (glycosaminoglycans), collagen, and elastin.

All these complex substances build up the extracellular matrix, which is the glue that holds together our cells. Hyaluronic acid is an important component of that intercellular glue. 

Roughly half of all the hyaluronic acid in our body is in our skin. 

When we get older, hyaluronic acid levels in the skin decline (R). A 70-year old person has 75 percent less hyaluronic acid than a 19-year old. 

Hyaluronic acid is often taken orally to reduce wrinkles.

Oral hyaluronic acid can also improve healthy joint function given hyaluronic acid is an important component of joint cartilage. 

Oral hyaluronic acid reduces wrinkles

Hyaluronic acid is an effective supplement for skin health.

Oral ingestion of hyaluronic acid can increase the amount of hyaluronic acid in the skin (R,R,R).

Supplementing with hyaluronic acid improves skin appearance and reduce wrinkles.

In one study, sixty people were given hyaluronic acid for 3 months. After 8 weeks, they had significantly reduced wrinkles compared to the placebo group.

Skin suppleness and skin radiance also significantly improved (R). 

Orally taken hyaluronic acid can also moisturize dry skin, leading to an improved skin appearance and making you look younger (R). 

Hyaluronic acid levels deplete when we get older, contributing to thinner, less elastic, less smooth skin. 

But besides aging, other factors can deplete your skin of hyaluronic acid.

An example is sun exposure. UV light damages the skin and significantly reduces hyaluronic acid production in the skin. Some dermatologists claim that up to 80 percent of skin aging is caused by the sun (R). So it’s very important to always use a strong sunscreen and preferably, to wear a hat when going outside in the sun. 

Oral Versus Topical (Skin Cream) Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is mostly used in skin creams to improve skin health.

Unfortunately, most of the hyaluronic acid that is applied on the skin does not penetrate the skin (R).

Therefore, hyaluronic acid in skin creams mainly increases moisturisation of the very superficial layers of the skin, given this molecule can attract and trap lots of water. 

However, some scientists managed to create new versions of hyaluronic acid that can penetrate the skin (R). The researchers reduced the size of hyaluronic acid substantially so it can cross the skin barrier.  

Hyaluronic acid is also injected into the skin to improve skin firmness and for rejuvenation purposes. 

Hyaluronic acid and aging

However, hyaluronic acid is interesting for longevity for purposes beyond its ability to reduce wrinkles. 

In particular, hyaluronic acid is made up of specific molecules like acetyl-glucosamine. 

Acetyl-glucosamine is a very interesting molecule, given it can extend lifespan in various lab organisms (R). Acetyl-glucosamine should not be confused with glucosamine, which has lifespan effects on its own. 

Scientists believe that acetyl-glucosamine can extend lifespan by inducing the unfolded-protein response (UPR). Our cells normally mount this response when they detect too many proteins that are accumulating. Accumulation of proteins is one of the reasons why we age. So Acetyl-glucosamine can reduce this protein accumulation by inducing this repair response. 

When hyaluronic acid is consumed parts of it are digested into individual acetyl-glucose molecules, which are taken up by the gut and enter blood circulation. 

So by adding hyaluronic acid to our longevity supplement, we can hit two birds with one stone: hyaluronic acid reduces aging-related wrinkles, and its components can impact cellular aging.

NOVOS contains 100 mg of hyaluronic acid per sachet.

NOVOS CORE & hyaluronic acid